Archive for the ‘BAMM Likes This!’ Category

Let’s get indulgent for a second and take a look at the Venn Diagram crossover territory between rock music and weather. While there’s no shortage of feelgood summertime jams in the cultural archives, things arguably only get really interesting when we look at the tunes that focus on the stormier side of things.

Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ reflected massive social upheaval. Springsteen’s ‘Thunder Road’ encapsulates the feeling of youthful unrest and yearning better than anything pre-Smiths. Creedance Clearwater Revival’s ‘Bad Moon Rising’ is just brimming over with foreboding sky-predictions, while ‘Riders On The Storm’ (as well as having the honor of being the last song The Doors recorded together) contains as much brooding menace as a wall of rolling clouds on the horizon.

Still – these are all mere song titles. To go the whole hog and name your band after some extreme weather madness … well, then, you’d better make sure that the band in question is something very, very special indeed.

Thankfully, Typhoon – a veritable army of musicians who fuse indie rock instrumentals and vocals with violins, percussion, hand claps, xylophone, horns and a choir of other instruments – are great enough to merit such a bombastic name. Combining the bombast and drive of Arcade Fire with the communal energy of The Polyphonic Spree, anyone who has been watching this exciting act since their inception will know that the forecast has always been good.

And if you’re brand new to Typhoon? Join us right now as we delve into their meteorological history …

If you’ve been paying attention this week - and we hope you have, because there’ll be a test afterwards – you’ll know that singer-songwriter Diana Gameros is our Featured Artist right now. As well as exclusive interviews, performances and giveaways, we also asked Diana to reveal her favorite music of the moment. Here’s what she had to say:

Want to hear them for yourself? Just click that ‘more’ button and let’s go …

We’re happy to announce that wonderful singer-songwriter Diana Gameros is our Featured Artist. Yesterday we featured an exclusive in-depth article and interview with Diana, and – later this week – we’ve got some amazing giveaways in store (including the chance to see Diana live, and even to spend time with her in the studio!).

Today, however, we’re simply going to show you why we’re such big fans. Here’s a special message from Diana herself:

And click on ‘more’ to see a selection of performances from the BAMM.tv archives, as well as Diana’s appearance in our exclusive documentary ‘City Of Fog’. Sit back, chill out and enjoy …

Here’s another of our regular Friday rundowns of what the BAMM.tv team members are listening to right now. This week it’s the turn of Nick Hansen, Co-Founder and Company Director …

1. Caribou – Jamaila (Swim, 2010)

I’m down with songs that are tripped-out and mildly twisted, full of tension and intensity. Well, look no further. I think it was a brilliant decision to make this video (finally), using such a challenging washed-out grading and imagery. The dichotomy really works between the tropical sounds of what sounds like steel drums and what I’m imagining to be a Canadian wilderness, maybe British Columbia, all of it just before it gets seriously cold. Overall, Daniel Snaith is obvioiusly a genius — do have a look at his PhD, but it’s all a bit Greek to me.

There’s no particular order to this rundown, nor are we implying that these are the ‘greatest’ under-rated albums (that’s something you can tell about in the comments box, or let us know if you’d like to see more of them). Just a celebratory look at five albums that – for various reasons – never quite received the acclaim they deserved …

5. ‘Handcream For A Generation’ – Cornershop (2002)

People are primarily familiar with Cornershop thanks to the Fatboy Slim remix of ‘Brimful Of Asha’, which can still regularly be heard clogging up the background of TV commercials. This 2002 release saw them expand on their sound over a selection of irrestible pop hooks – such as ‘Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III’ – and it really, really should be more well known.

Another week, another playlist from one of our all-knowing BAMM Team (that’s ‘all-knowing’ in terms of music, by the way … none of us are too hot on quantum theory). This time around, we find out what Editorial Director Christopher Davies is listening to right now …

One of the many talents behind The New Pornographers, Neko Case effortlessly transposes the melodic pop strains of that particular supergroup into her solo work. Nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking – just great songwriting.

2. “Green Shirt” (Armed Forces, 1979) – Elvis Costello

For a good decade or so, Costello was quite literally at the top of this whole ‘music’ game. He has too many classic tunes to mention, but this one is often overlooked, so I’m going to stick it here. It’s just great: instantly hummable yet undercut with a weird simmering menace (‘you can please yourself, but somebody’s gonna get it ..’)
3. “Shake This” (Street Hop, 2009) – Royce Da 5’9

Hazlewood and Sinatra are maybe one of the best male-female double acts in history. There are lots of great moments on their 1968 album ‘Nancy & Lee’ (everyone knows ‘Some Velvet Morning’ … or at least they should do) but ‘Ladybird’ is a personal favorite.

5. “Careful” (The Warning, 2006) – Hot Chip

Gotta love these techno-geek ravers and their sense of undying fun and experimentation. ‘Careful’ is, in my humble opinion, one of the best opening tracks to any album EVER …

Lots of things change with the dawn of a new year … but some things always remain constant. The BAMM.tv crew, for instance, will still be the same bunch of highly-knowledgeable music masterminds they always were, and we’ll still be sharing a new playlist from one of the team each and every Friday. This week, we ask the multi-talented Ian McPherson to share his current musical choices …

1. “Here I Come” (1996) – Love & Hate: The Best of Dennis Brown

A top male reggae vocalist, Brown is the true king of roots rock reggae and ‘lovers rock’, a sound that was born in the UK, and also one that has been lost in the past. He has smooth vocals that complement the baseline. I love his songs because of the spiritual overtones in his works.

2. “Let’s Stay Together” (1972) Al Green

The harmonies are uplifting and the pure expression in his voice is one of pain, but the words have a comforting vibe that makes a person feel like they are not the only one who suffers. Pure soul in a bottle.

3. “Move on up” (1963) – Curtis Mayfield

Blaxploitation films formed my introduction to Curtis Mayfield. He was a great story teller, painting vivid images with the sound of early New York City, like a roving reporter on the streets. A believable, heartfelt voice with great musical arrangements and melodies, that sadly seem to have been lost to the past.

4. “Microphone Fiend” (Follow the Leader, 1988) – Eric B. & Rakim

I always loved early Hip Hop. There not anyone out there right now in Hip Hop or Rap that has taken nor even touched the crown of Rakim, a Hip hop master of word play with more layers than an onion skin. He’s an artist with a smooth flow … with a message in his story telling … a wordplay wizard with very deep metaphors and cyphers.

5.”Dreams” (1977, ‘Rumours’) Fleetwood Mac

I grew up with Fleetwood Mac and I still have them on my MP3 player today. “You Can Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams” are both epic tunes. A great band bursting with passion, with a sound that takes me back to my youth.

Friday rolls round once again, which means that it’s time for another musical mastermind from the BAMM crew to share their current recommendations. This time we ask Cam Op and Editor Diana what she is listening to at the moment …
1. Hot Knife – (The Idler Wheel… 2012) – Fiona Apple

The harmonies of the song are SICK! I had not been so excited about a song like this in a long time, it’s nothing but vocals (hers and her sister’s), piano and percussion. She just proves how good of a singer she is.

2. A Commotion (Metals, 2011) – Feist

A violent song that calls for revolution. I identify with this because of sociopolitical issues developing in Mexico right now… I just wish everyone would just cause A Commotion!

3. Declare Independence (Volta, 2007) – Bjork

The title explains everything. Very present with stuff happening in my country right now. Bjork herself is singing this song as an anthem to claim freedom of speech, as she dedicated this song to Pussy Riot in a concert she gave in Finland a few weeks ago. Such a great message, with intricate beats and electronic distortions.

4. R U Mine (R U Mine, 2012) – Arctic Monkeys

Awesome riffs, great vocals. I love the evolution of this band. Alex Turner went from being a shy and uncomfortable kid, to a rockstar. The dynamic between Turner and drummer Matt Helders is so strong, they remind me of a contemporary Jagger and Richards.

5. Sleep Alone (Two Suns, 2009) – Bat For Lashes

Great, dreamy tune. She’s such a visual musician, and evokes a lot of imagery. I love the chorus. Great sophomore album, looking forward to hear the new stuff.

Here’s another look at what the BAMM.tv team are listening to right now. This week, we asked BAMM Latino producer Sonia to share her current recommendations …

1. No Quise Mirar (Déjenme llorar, 2012) – Carla Morrison

The first time I heard this artist I wasn’t very into the tone of her voice, but after listening to a couple of songs, I realized that the tone only emphasized, for me, the melancholic nature of her music. This song, in particular, I enjoy because the lyrics speak about the moment of loss where we realize that things were falling apart but we were refusing to open our eyes, and see reality.

2. Love Created I (Challenges, 2008) – Tarrus Riley

I have many questions about religion and this song states very simply one of the many points I feel: “Don’t tell me, I was born in sin and shaped in inequity when love created I.” Also, I love that the inspiration for this songs come from words of Marcus Garvey.

3. Yo aprendí (Polvo de la Humedad, 2012) – Danay Suarez

Elegant clarity on a difficult issue. Cuban rappers are on the frontier of expressing social and political issues.

4. Resumen de los 90 (Haciendo Historia, 2009) – Habana D’ Primera

The first time I heard this song, there was no way I could ignore the power of the “new” band. Here was a new flavor but winning me over by having a song praising and quoting all the songs that make me miss my times back home.

Short on recommendations for stuff to listen to? Don’t worry – it’s Friday, which means that its time for another crew member of the good ship BAMM to share their five favorite tunes of the moment. Let’s ask Executive Assistant Catherine Le Pape what she’s listening to right now …
1. “Stuck on the Puzzle” (Soundtrack for ‘Submarine’, 2011) – Alex Turner

A different sound for Alex Turner, who wrote the entire soundtrack for this movie. I like the simplicity of the song and the atmosphere it creates.
2. “Le Plus Beau du Quartier” (Quelqu’un m’a dit, 2003) – Carla Bruni

There’s more to Carla Bruni than just being Nicolas Sarkozy’s arm candy. With “Quelqu’un m’a dit”, she delivers a beautiful, folky first album, full of wordplays and literary references. This song – which samples the Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Daydream’- remains my favorite.
3. “Right or Wrong” (Wan Santo Condo, 2004) – Wan Santo Condo

I still can’t believe this band, from Austin, TX, only got to release one (but great) album. Guitarist Jason Mozersky is now kicking ass with Ben Harper’s Relentless7.

4. “Swamp Song” – (13, 1999) – Blur

Since 1995, Blur has been and will remain my favorite band. I could have chosen just any song from them, but this one is a good “pick-me-up”.
5. “The Truth” – (So How’s Your Girl, 1999) – Handsome Boy Modeling School feat. Roisin Murphy